Jeremiah 13:6

KJV

And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass after {H7093} many {H7227} days {H3117}, that the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto me, Arise {H6965}, go {H3212} to Euphrates {H6578}, and take {H3947} the girdle {H232} from thence, which I commanded {H6680} thee to hide {H2934} there.

Complete Jewish Bible

A long time afterwards, ADONAI said to me, "Get up, go to Parah, and recover the loincloth I ordered you to hide there."

Berean Standard Bible

Many days later the LORD said to me, “Arise, go to Perath, and get the loincloth that I commanded you to hide there.”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass after many days, that Jehovah said unto me, Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 13:6 marks a crucial turning point in the symbolic prophecy of the linen girdle, where the LORD commands the prophet Jeremiah to retrieve the garment he had previously hidden by the Euphrates River. This verse initiates the second phase of a powerful object lesson, designed by God to vividly illustrate the spiritual decay, impending judgment, and ultimate exile awaiting the unfaithful people of Judah and Jerusalem, who, like the neglected girdle, had become corrupted and useless in their intimate relationship with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 13:6 is embedded within the larger prophetic act detailed in [Jeremiah 13:1-11](/jeremiah/13 "Jeremiah 13 - The Linen Girdle Prophecy"). The preceding verses ([Jeremiah 13:1-5](/jeremiah/13-1 "Jeremiah 13:1-5 - The Command to Hide the Girdle")) describe the initial command to purchase a new linen girdle, wear it, and then hide it by the Euphrates. This initial act symbolizes God's close relationship with Israel, intended to be a people for His praise and glory, much like a girdle is worn close to the body. The "many days" mentioned in verse 6 indicate a significant passage of time, emphasizing God's patience while also building anticipation for the inevitable revelation of the girdle's deteriorated state, which will be unveiled in [Jeremiah 13:7-11](/jeremiah/13-7 "Jeremiah 13:7-11 - The Girdle's Decay and Its Meaning"). The retrieval of the girdle is essential for the completion of the prophetic message, revealing the consequences of Judah's spiritual corruption.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of the girdle takes place during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely during the reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), a time characterized by widespread idolatry, moral corruption, and political instability. The people of Judah had repeatedly broken their covenant with Yahweh, turning to foreign gods and adopting pagan practices, despite the warnings of prophets like Jeremiah. The "girdle" (Hebrew: *'êzôwr*) was a common garment, a loincloth or belt, often made of linen, worn close to the body. It could symbolize strength, readiness for action, or honor. For God to command Jeremiah to hide it by the Euphrates River was highly symbolic. The Euphrates was the major river flowing through Babylon, the very empire God would use as His instrument of judgment to conquer Judah and carry its people into exile. This geographical detail subtly but powerfully foreshadowed the impending Babylonian captivity, a historical reality that would soon befall Judah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Instruction and Obedience**, as Jeremiah faithfully carries out God's unusual and demanding commands, highlighting the prophet's role as God's obedient messenger. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **Symbolic Prophecy and God's Impending Judgment**. The state of the retrieved girdle, as revealed in subsequent verses, becomes a tangible metaphor for Judah's spiritual decay and the inevitable consequences of their unfaithfulness. This ties into the broader theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness**, where Judah's spiritual "rottenness" directly mirrors their abandonment of the covenant relationship with the LORD. Finally, the "many days" mentioned in the verse subtly introduces the theme of **God's Patience and the Certainty of His Word**. While God is patient, His prophetic word will ultimately come to pass, bringing judgment upon unrepentant sin, as seen throughout [Jeremiah's prophecies](/jeremiah "The Book of Jeremiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068. This refers to the covenant name of God, Jehovah, emphasizing His self-existent and eternal nature. The use of "LORD" here highlights that the command is not from human authority but from the sovereign God who initiates and orchestrates all prophetic acts, underscoring the divine origin and authority of the message conveyed through the girdle.
* **girdle (Hebrew, _ʼêzôwr'_):** H232. Derived from a root meaning "to gird," this word denotes a belt or loincloth worn close to the body. In this context, it is a crucial symbolic object. Its initial state of newness represented Israel's intended close and honorable relationship with God, while its subsequent decay would symbolize their spiritual corruption and loss of glory due to unfaithfulness.
* **many days (Hebrew, _rab yôwm'_):** H7227, H3117. "Many" (rab) signifies abundance or a great quantity, and "days" (yôwm) refers to a period of time. Together, "many days" indicates a significant duration, implying a period of waiting or patience on God's part before the next phase of the prophecy unfolds. It also suggests the gradual, almost imperceptible, process of decay that would occur, mirroring the slow but sure spiritual deterioration of Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass after many days,"**: This phrase establishes a temporal marker, indicating a significant passage of time since the initial command to hide the girdle. It suggests a period of waiting, during which the hidden girdle would be exposed to the elements, foreshadowing the gradual spiritual decay of Judah over time.
* **"that the LORD said unto me,"**: This clause emphasizes the direct, personal, and authoritative nature of God's communication with Jeremiah. It reiterates that the prophet is acting under divine instruction, not his own initiative, lending ultimate authority to the symbolic act.
* **"Arise, go to Euphrates,"**: This is a direct command, requiring Jeremiah to undertake a journey back to the specific, geographically significant location where he had hidden the girdle. The Euphrates, being the river of Babylon, subtly reinforces the future context of Judah's exile.
* **"and take the girdle from thence,"**: This command instructs Jeremiah to retrieve the object of the prophecy. The act of taking it "from thence" (from where it was hidden) implies that its condition will now be revealed, setting the stage for the dramatic display of its decay.
* **"which I commanded thee to hide there."**: This final clause serves as a reminder of the initial divine instruction, linking the two phases of the prophetic act and reinforcing God's meticulous planning and control over every detail of the object lesson.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 13:6 employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the linen girdle representing the people of Judah and their intimate, intended relationship with God. The act of hiding it by the Euphrates is also deeply symbolic, foreshadowing the Babylonian exile. The "many days" introduce the **motif of time**, emphasizing God's patience but also the inevitable progression towards judgment. The entire passage is an example of a **Prophetic Act** or **Object Lesson**, where a physical action performed by the prophet conveys a profound spiritual truth. The direct address from "the LORD" to Jeremiah is an instance of **Divine Speech**, highlighting the authoritative and revelatory nature of the message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 13:6, as part of the girdle prophecy, profoundly illustrates God's covenant relationship with Israel and the devastating consequences of their unfaithfulness. God had chosen Israel to be intimately bound to Him, to be His glory and praise, much like a valuable girdle is worn close to the body. However, through their idolatry and disobedience, they had become spiritually "rotten" and useless, mirroring the decayed girdle. This passage underscores God's patience, allowing "many days" to pass, yet also His unwavering commitment to justice. The judgment, though severe, is a direct result of their persistent rebellion, serving as a stark warning against spiritual complacency and pride.

* [Deuteronomy 4:26-27](/deuteronomy/4-26 "Deuteronomy 4:26-27 - Warning of Exile") - Foreshadows the scattering of Israel among the nations due to disobedience, directly relating to the symbolic exile by the Euphrates.
* [Ezekiel 24:1-14](/ezekiel/24 "Ezekiel 24:1-14 - The Boiling Pot Parable") - Another prophetic object lesson, where a boiling pot symbolizes Jerusalem's corruption and impending destruction, paralleling the decay of the girdle.
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - Lack of Knowledge Leads to Destruction") - Connects Israel's destruction to their lack of knowledge of God, a spiritual decay that leads to their rejection, similar to the girdle's uselessness.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The prophecy of the linen girdle, initiated by the command in Jeremiah 13:6, serves as a timeless and poignant reminder of the vital importance of maintaining a vibrant, intimate relationship with God. Just as the girdle, once new and pristine, became rotten and useless when neglected and exposed to the elements, so too can our spiritual lives decay when we drift away from God's presence and commands. This passage challenges us to honestly assess the state of our "girdle"—our spiritual health, our commitment to God, and our usefulness in His kingdom. Are we allowing the "elements" of sin, worldly distractions, or spiritual apathy to corrupt us, rendering us ineffective for God's purposes? The "many days" signify God's patience, but also the certainty that unaddressed spiritual decay will eventually lead to consequences. This calls us to proactive repentance, a renewed pursuit of intimacy with God, and diligent obedience, ensuring that we remain "girded" for His service, reflecting His glory rather than our own spiritual rot.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be allowing "spiritual rot" to set in, distancing me from God's intended intimacy and purpose?**
* **Am I truly listening to and obeying God's commands, even when they seem inconvenient or require a significant "journey" of faith?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a closer, more vibrant relationship with God to prevent spiritual decay and remain useful for His kingdom?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command Jeremiah to hide the girdle by the Euphrates River specifically?**

Answer: The command to hide the girdle by the [Euphrates River](/jeremiah/13-4 "Jeremiah 13:4 - Hiding the Girdle by the Euphrates") was deeply symbolic and prophetic. The Euphrates was the major river of Babylon, the very nation God would use as His instrument of judgment to conquer Judah and carry its people into exile. By instructing Jeremiah to hide the girdle there, God was subtly but powerfully foreshadowing the future Babylonian captivity, indicating that Judah would be taken far from their homeland and would suffer a period of spiritual and national decay in a foreign land, much like the girdle would decay in that location. This geographical detail underscored the certainty and nature of the impending judgment.

**What is the significance of "after many days" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "after many days" (Jeremiah 13:6) signifies a considerable passage of time. Theologically, it highlights God's patience and long-suffering with His people, Judah, giving them ample opportunity to repent before His judgment fully materialized. However, it also emphasizes the certainty of His word; despite the delay, the prophetic act would be completed, and the consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness would inevitably be revealed. From a practical standpoint, this duration allowed the linen girdle to naturally deteriorate, making its decayed state a more vivid and impactful illustration of Judah's spiritual corruption. It underscores that spiritual decay can be a gradual process, not always immediate, but ultimately leads to ruin if unaddressed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prophecy of the rotten girdle, initiated by the command in Jeremiah 13:6, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Israel, intended to be God's glorious "girdle" ([Jeremiah 13:11](/jeremiah/13-11 "Jeremiah 13:11 - The Girdle's Purpose")), failed in its mission, becoming spiritually corrupt and useless due to sin. This foreshadows humanity's universal spiritual decay and inability to perfectly bear God's image or fulfill His purposes. However, in Christ, we find the perfect fulfillment of what Israel was meant to be. Jesus is the one who perfectly embodies righteousness and truth, the true "girdle" of God's glory. He came not to be corrupted by the world, but to redeem it. His perfect obedience, even unto death on the cross, stands in stark contrast to Israel's disobedience and decay. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ takes away the "rottenness" of our sin, offering us a new covenant where we are not left to decay but are made new creations, clothed in His righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). He is the one who "girds" us with strength and prepares us for service, enabling us to walk in the newness of life and truly reflect God's praise and glory, something Israel failed to do under the old covenant ([Ephesians 6:14](/ephesians/6-14 "Ephesians 6:14 - Girded with Truth")). The judgment symbolized by the rotten girdle was ultimately borne by Christ, allowing those who believe in Him to escape spiritual decay and experience eternal life ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.